10 Infamous Comic Book Characters Who Started as Tech Nerds

Image via Complex Original

First appearance: Showcase #34 (1961)

Notable tech: Shrinking lens

We could have easily given this spot to Hank Pym (AKA Ant-Man) but we awarded it to Ray Palmer simply because he was here first. We recognize seniority at Complex, after all. Ray Palmer, better known as The Atom, is recognized as a physics and tech wizard who became a superhero and Justice Leaguer because of one groundbreaking invention: his shrinking lens. By using pieces of white star matter, Palmer was able to fashion a piece of tech that allowed him to shrink himself to sub-atomic size while retaining his full strength. Science!

He fashions this invention to his costume’s belt, which allows him to fight crime as the diminutive Atom. He can also shrink everyday items and other Justice League members, depending on the mission at hand. But it’s not just a shrinking ray that puts Palmer on this list. It’s his know-how of all things nanotech that has made him a vital, if underappreciated, part of the DC Universe over the years.

First appearance: Uncanny X-Men #184 (1984)

Notable tech: Bionic limbs

For most of the X-Men, their mutant powers are a curse, disfiguring their appearance and making it impossible for them to ever live a normal life. In Forge’s case, however, his mutant abilities give him an unparalleled knowledge to invent new technology, making him one of the lucky few with powers that are also a blessing. In recent years, Forge’s popularity has surged as the new techie generation has latched onto him as an icon for the times.

Forge can basically envision and build any technology that he wants, giving him a power that can also benefit humanity as a whole, while making him a vital cog for the X-Men and various government agencies. In addition to his time as a hero, Forge also worked as a government contractor making new weapons and tech for the Defense Department. But he’ll always be best known as one of the big players for teams like the X-Men, X-Factor and X-Force.

During his career, Forge has basically made weapons and machines of every variety, but it’s his bionic leg and hand that are the most memorable for fans. These limbs were originally lost when he was a soldier in Vietnam earlier in his life, and these enhancements were the first step towards life as a Marvel mainstay.

First appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man #3 (1963)

Notable tech: His trademark tentacles, Octobots

Sure, Doctor Octopus might not have a lab full of trademark inventions at his disposal, but his inclusion here is all about quality over quantity. There aren’t many weapons in the Marvel Universe more impressive than Otto’s infamous tentacles. These steely appendages aren’t just mindless whips that thrash at foes with the unpredictability of a beached shark; they are actually hooked up to Otto’s own thoughts, making them an extension of his own psychotic mind.

This psychic link allows these arms to do everything from robbing banks to performing intricate laboratory work as he sees fit. Some versions of the character—most notably from the Ultimate universe—can even control the arms by thought when they’re not even attached to his body, turning them into an A.I. nightmare for foes.

Recently, Doctor Octopus has branched out, creating surveillance tech that covered all of Manhattan, allowing him to spy on Spider-Man at all times and hack into all of the city’s communication platforms.

First appearance: Batgirl in Detective Comics #359 (1969); Oracle in Suicide Squad #23 (1989)

Notable tech: Her advanced computer system

Batman may have superior detective skills, a stout scientific mind, and an intimate knowledge of the human anatomy, but the most impressive techie in all of Gotham City is none other than Barbara Gordon, later known as Oracle.

As Oracle, Gordon is the all-seeing eye for Batman’s war on crime. She can hack into every database known to man, can invent super secret communication tools for Batman and his various Robins, and knows exactly how to track down any foe that the Dark Knight needs to put the screws to.

In a world filled with Apple “Geniuses” and Geek Squads viewing themselves as heroes, Oracle truly is a 21st century crime fighter. With all of the world’s information literally at her fingertips, and an army of advanced satellites in orbit, nothing gets by Barbara. And when you’re a vigilante who isn’t faster than a locomotive or stronger than steel, having this Bird of Prey backing you up is your best asset.

First appearance: Spectre #54 (1997)

Notable tech: T-Spheres

Mister Terrific doesn’t score any style points with that gaudy leather jacket and the giant “T” mask on his face, but when you’re officially recognized as the third smartest man in the world (behind Lex Luthor and Bruce Wayne, naturally) your wardrobe usually isn’t the topic of conversation.

Mister Terrific isn’t just adept at tinkering with a bit of tech—he basically is tech. From the T-Spheres the he designed to communicate with all of Earth’s computers, to the nanotech mask he wears that controls the spheres, Holt is a one-man Silicon Valley draped in spandex.

Not only does Holt have the tech expertise and raw intelligence of luminaries like Steve Jobs and Albert Einstein, he also has a brand that makes Jay Z look like a used car salesman in comparison. Realistically, the only thing that Mister Terrific could never excel at is being able to keep readers interested in his own solo comic book.

First appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #14 (1964)

Notable tech: The Green Goblin glider and arsenal

Listen—Norman Osborn will never put his genius mind to work for the benefit of humanity, but that’s just not a super villain’s job. Instead, Norman uses all of his tech know-how and creativity to create an arsenal of deadly weapons and gadgets designed to make Spider-Man’s life miserable. It’s not admirable, but it’s impressive nonetheless.

From nuclear-powered gliders to smart pumpkin bombs, Osborn has a piece of deadly tech for every occasion, and his malice is only limited by his homicidal imagination. But Norman is also a bit of a renaissance man when it comes to tech, and he’s always willing to get his hands dirty with a little experimentation.

When Osborn was put in charge of HAMMER—the villainous version of SHIELD—he repurposed one of Iron Man’s armored looks in order to turn himself into the Iron Patriot. This was perhaps one of his most genius moments since he hacked into the most advanced tech on the planet without issue and turned it into his own private weapon.

First appearance: Fantastic Four #5 (1962)

Notable tech: The Doombots

Doctor Doom is a master of all trades when it comes to his unique brand of villainy, combining magic and sorcery with an army of technological terrors. And while it’s nice that he can use magic to wreck havoc on his foes, it’s his super-powered armor and arsenal of advanced weapons that cause the most damage. And no weapon in his grasp is more important than a Doombot.

These robots are designed by Doom with his own personality and appearance programmed into them. These robotic duplicates are so lifelike that it’s nearly impossible for anyone facing one of them to know whether or not they’re going up against the genuine article. This deception always has Doom one step ahead of his enemies, and it has made for some convenient plot devices over the years.

Doom’s other trademark is his enhanced armored suit, which is packed not only with offensive weapons, but an array of tech gadgets, including the ability to mentally command certain machines. Plus, he also created a fully functioning time machine, because no villain’s arsenal is complete without one. Seriously, Doom has a villainous app for just about every occasion.

First appearance: Action Comics #23 (1940)

Notable tech: His robotic battle suit

Lex Luthor might be known as a genius on all fronts (business, strategy, and overall fiendishness), but it’s his tech abilities that are the most impressive. And why is that? When you’re going toe-to-toe with a literal god in a red cape on a monthly basis, and you’ve managed to actually beat him on several occasions, you definitely have some cool toys to play with. And there is no better example of Luthor’s tech brilliance than his trademark battle suit.

This hulking green terror has more firepower than some countries, and it’s capable of giving the entire Justice League a legitimate fight. This suit is hooked up with weapons to specifically take down every hero (from Kryptonite lasers for Superman to plain ol’ bullets for Batman), and it’s also in constant communication with computer systems from around the globe to cause even more damage from his satellite systems.

There is a reason why Luthor has never become a smear of humanity on Superman’s fist, and it’s because he’s a techie at heart. Give him some spare parts and a little bit of time and he can make Earth’s mightiest heroes quiver.

First appearance: Fantastic Four #1 (1961)

Notable tech: The Fantasti-Car, Unstable Molecules

You would think that the ability to stretch and morph one’s body to any size, length, and consistency would be noteworthy enough for a comic book character, but Reed Richards has to up the ante by also being the resident egghead of the Marvel Universe. Richards’ raw intelligence is nearly unrivaled in comics, and it’s his ingenious inventions that get the most attention.

Unlike Iron Man and Batman, Richards’ inventions tend to be designed to help humanity, rather than for offensive purposes. Richards designed and invented the team’s iconic Fantasti-Car, which can split into four separate flying cars, or come together as one interdimensional ship. This is one of the team’s trademarks, and also one of the coolest cars in the Marvel U.

While that’s an impressive enough invention for one lifetime, his other creation—the Unstable Molecules—are the most important for the Fantastic Four’s legacy. These molecules, which Richards developed, are crafted into the team’s uniforms and are why the Human Torch never burns through his shirt when he flames on, or why the Thing never splits his pants when he bends down to tie his shoes. See? Those blue spandex duds are both practical and stylish.

Sure this one-track, techie mind has put a tremendous strain on his marriage and his hygiene (the dude does work for weeks at a time without a break), but he’s Mister Fantastic—he can never be stretched too thin. Plus, when you have the ability to travel to alternate dimensions and invent flying cars without breaking a sweat, date night with the Mrs. just fails to measure up.

First appearance: Tales of Suspense #39 (1963)

Notable tech: The glorious Hall of Armor, duh

How could anyone but Tony Stark occupy the top spot on this list? This is a dude with such unprecedented tech mastery that he makes Bill Gates, Richard Branson, and Tim Cook look like computer repairmen at your local community college. Plus, he’s creating all of the world’s cutting-edge technology while being a complete womanizer and a high-functioning alcoholic. Unless Steve Wozniak has a little black book filled with Victoria’s Secret models’ digits, it’s safe to assume that Stark has everyone beat.

Over the years, Stark’s trademark Iron Man armor has evolved from a literal tin can (that he created with a box of scraps), to a living, adapting piece of tech that is actually hooked up to his very thoughts. That means Iron Man’s suit is now just as much a part of him as his own mind, and it’s still evolving every year. He is the apex of innovation in the Marvel Universe, and those very Iron Man influences will inevitably be applied to our real world very soon.

The most impressive aspect of Stark’s repertoire isn’t just the weapons systems in his suit, either. His Iron Man shell is an all-in-one cornucopia of tech, complete with complex analytics, computer systems, and vast communication capabilities. It even comes complete with a droll, British A.I. unit and a surround sound system for blasting AC/DC. Once he finds out a way to install a Porta Potty in his armor, he would really have no reason to ever get out of it.